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Please confirm the application of LEED-NC Version 2.2 to a project on a university campus. The project includes a new addition as well as a major renovation to a portion of an existing building. The m...

Inquiry

Please confirm the application of LEED-NC Version 2.2 to a project on a university campus. The project includes a new addition as well as a major renovation to a portion of an existing building. The major renovation is encircled by a demising wall and is considered by the code definition of a building to be a separate building. Portions of the existing building will not be renovated and will not be included in the LEED project boundary or rating. All of the building is owned and used by the university. The proposed LEED project boundary includes the new addition and the areas of major renovation following the demising wall and excludes the rest of the building. Please confirm this approach.

Ruling

The inquiry is seeking clarification on defining a LEED project boundary for an existing building with new addition. Per the MRc1 CIR Ruling on 8/27/2007, "A project may determine the LEED project boundary in the existing building as best fits the project, provided this boundary includes all relevant construction work. In addition, the LEED project boundary must remain consistent across all LEED prerequisites and credits. For example, the project team may not include the entire existing building for some credits but only the renovated portions for other credits." The project team's approach is correct. Also, if the areas of the existing building are excluded from the LEED project boundary, please be sure to consistently exclude them from any area calculations when submitting for MRc1. Applicable Internationally.

An existing residence is currently located on the site of the proposed LEED certified Admission Building on the Cate School campus. A minimum of 75% of the existing residence's structure and envelope...

Inquiry

An existing residence is currently located on the site of the proposed LEED certified Admission Building on the Cate School campus. A minimum of 75% of the existing residence's structure and envelope will be moved to a nearby location on the Cate School campus and maintained/renovated as a new residence. The new LEED-NC certified Admission Building will be built on the former site of the relocated residence. Cate School is choosing to extend the life of an existing building, conserving resources, retaining a cultural resource on campus, reducing waste and reducing environmental impacts. While the relocated residence is not being renovated directly into the new Admission Building, the relocation and maintenance of the existing residence meets the credit intent. Proposed documentation will include: 1. Campus Plan showing location of both buildings 2. LEED-NC Site Plan for Admission Building 3. Architectural Plans of existing residence to be relocated 4. Completed LEED MRc1.1 Letter Template 5. Photographs of relocated residence

Ruling

The project team is seeking an alternative compliance path for credit MRc1.1. In this case, they are relocating 75 percent of an existing residence's structure and envelope to a new site. The proposed new academic building will be situated on the site of the building to be moved. The project team is requesting that the relocation and reuse of the residential building count towards MRc1. Although the project team's intent is admirable, these efforts can not be counted under MRc1. However, the project team should note the LEED-NC v2.2 IDc1CIR dated 8/16/07. In keeping with that ruling, the project team may wish to apply for an Innovation Credit for the reuse of a relocated building. In addition, the team should note that, as an alternative to seeking an innovation credit, it is also possible and encouraged to include the materials of the relocated building in credit calculations for MRc2. The CIR referenced provides guidance on how to calculate the materials included in the structure that is to be relocated. Applicable Internationally.

The project in question includes renovations to a large resort hotel, and a major addition. In order to conserve resources while providing maximum cultural value, we propose to minimize modifications...

Inquiry

The project in question includes renovations to a large resort hotel, and a major addition. In order to conserve resources while providing maximum cultural value, we propose to minimize modifications to the existing building, focusing on renovations that have an impact on public experience and operational capacity, e.g. new check-in stations, expanded retail, relocation of day care to the addition, renovation of an existing cafe, relocation and expansion of luggage storage, addition of one cooling tower, reconfiguration of administrative offices, and modifications to the staff cafeteria. Probable final build-out data are as follows: Addition = 25% of total floor area and 95% of total construction cost; Existing building = 75% of total floor area with renovations accounting for 5% of total construction cost. The renovated portions of the existing building, but not the entire existing building, will be included in calculations for all other applicable credits. Please confirm that this project can pursue LEED-NC MR Credit 1 - Building Re-use. In this scenario, please confirm that when we enter data into the LEED Online Project Summary, the "% New Construction" field = 25% and the "% Renovation" field = 75%, based on total floor areas of new and existing buildings including untouched portions, and NOT based on relative scope of work. This approach appears consistent with the intent of MR Credit 1 to conserve resources, as it illustrates the extent of conservation.

Ruling

The inquiry is seeking clarification on how the percentages of new addition versus existing building are to be calculated. These percentages are based on square footage and not relative scope or construction cost. Per the credit requirements, for a project to be eligible for MRc1, the square footage of the addition must not be more than two times the square footage of the existing building. It is unclear however whether the stated 75% of total floor area for the existing building represents the whole existing building or just the portion impacted by construction. A project may determine the LEED project boundary in the existing building as best fits the project, provided this boundary includes all relevant construction work. In addition, the LEED project boundary must remain consistent across all LEED prerequisites and credits. For example, the project team may not include the entire existing building for some credits but only the renovated portions for other credits. Applicable Internationally.

We welcome and value the opinions of our green building community. We are collecting feedback on LEED v4 during the 5th open commenting period. At this time, each USGBC site user may comment on the open credits.

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